Second Annual Bikes for Kids Utah Event Deemed A Great Success, Despite Cold Temperatures and Rain

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) October 9, 2007 -- SALT LAKE CITY – October 10, 2007 – In spite of rain and cold temperatures, Bikes for Kids Utah secured the funds and volunteers needed to distribute free brand new bicycles, helmets, bike locks and bicycle safety instruction to 1,000 underprivileged Utah second graders, Saturday October 5, 2007.

Saturday’s event also included 3K family and 50K fundraising rides and an exclusive ride with Dave Zabriskie, a Salt Lake City native and the third American ever to wear the yellow jersey in the Tour de France. Proceeds from the rides went towards providing the different items given to the children that day.

“Bikes for Kids Utah was successful on so many fronts,” said Debbie Reid, founder and executive director of Bikes for Kids Utah. “We had great support from the community, Dave Zabriskie, sponsors, presenters, volunteers and the cyclists. Seeing a smile on the face of one child while receiving a bike was enough. Seeing hundreds of smiling faces made it even better.”

Throughout the event, hundreds of Utah second-graders were greeted by more than 60 volunteers and sponsors who distributed bikes and accessories. Volunteers also led students through a bicycle safety fair. Students and their families walked from tent to tent collecting bicycle accessories, being fitted for helmets and watching a bicycle produce enough energy to turn on a light bulb, a display provided by Murray City Power, among others.

“This event is like the trick or treat of Halloween and the anticipation of Christmas rolled into one for these kids,” said Rachael Bess, mother of Trishan Bess, a second grader from Sandy Elementary School. “This new bicycle is all Trishan has talked about for the last two weeks. You can be sure nothing was going to keep him from coming today.”

Bikes for Kids Utah is funded through multiple sponsorships, a fundraiser dinner and silent auction and various fundraising rides held on the same day the bicycles were give to the children. One of rides participants contributed $1,000 to ride 50k with Dave Zabriskie, the current two-time national time trial champion and the third American ever to wear the yellow jersey in the Tour de France.

“Cycling has been a huge part of my life,” said Dave Zabriskie, Salt Lake native and Tour de France stage winner. “It has provided me with a lot of freedom and taught me that exercise, discipline and responsibility can be fun. It felt good helping the kids get their new bicycles and I hope they have as much fun with their bikes as I do with mine.”

000     1     bikes